netlag

[IRC, MUD] A condition that occurs when the
delays in the IRC network or on a MUD become severe
enough that servers briefly lose and then reestablish contact,
causing messages to be delivered in bursts, often with delays of up
to a minute. (Note that this term has nothing to do with
mainstream "jet lag", a condition which hackers tend not to be
much bothered by.) Often shortened to just `lag'.